Heckler, 82, wins apology from Labour

The Labour Party was forced to apologise yesterday to an 82-year-old delegate who was manhandled out of the Brighton conference for heckling the foreign secretary during a speech about the war in Iraq .

Walter Wolfgang, a veteran Labour activist from Richmond Park in south London, was dragged from the hall by stewards after shouting "nonsense" as Jack Straw spoke of Britain's success in bringing democracy Iraq.

Mr Wolfgang tried to re-enter the hall, but was refused permission under Section 44 of the Prevention of Terrorism Act. His conference pass was also confiscated.

Steve Forrest, a constituency party chairman from Erith and Thamesmead in south-east London, was also ejected after complaining about Mr Wolfgang's treatment. Mr Wolfgang, a party member for 57 years, told the BBC 2's Daily Conference Live programme: "I shouted 'nonsense'. That's all I said. Then these two toughies manhandled me out."

A Labour party spokesman admitted that Mr Wolfgang had been treated in an "inappropriate manner". He apologised for the incident and promised an investigation.